Sharks expect hostile Newlands

The Sharks know that they can expect a hostile reception when they run out at Newlands on Saturday to face the Stormers.

The Sharks know that they can expect a hostile reception when they run out at Newlands on Saturday to face the Stormers.

The Durban outfit showed that they can grind out the tough games in their victory over the Crusaders last week, and they are expecting to have to do plenty of hard work again this weekend against a desperate Stormers side.

The Stormers are coming off consecutive losses, which makes this coastal derby something of a must-win, especially as it comes just before their overseas tour.

Sharks assistant coach Hugh Reece-Edwards knows that it will take another composed performance from his side if they are to claim their second straight win at Newlands.

"It's massive for the Stormers, they are under the cosh and have to win, and perhaps they can afford one loss, but certainly no more.

"We have no illusions about the enormity of the game, they'll come out with everything they've got. We can expect 40 000 people there, it will be noisy and their fans will be backing them to win," he said.

The Sharks assistant said that it had been crucial for them to show that they could beat one of the top six teams in the competition after the hiding they were given at home by the Brumbies.

"We were taught a lesson in the game against the Brumbies and we couldn't have that again, this side is good enough to go a long way. To prove that to themselves, the players needed to come out and perform.

"The previous stat was two wins in 16 outings [against the Crusaders], so it was a game we had to win. It was a home win and looking to where we want to go in this competition, it was a vital win for us.

"It was winning a home game against one of the sides that will probably end up in the top six, we now play another team that should end up in the top six [the Stormers], albeit they haven't started off as well as they would have liked," he said.

Reece-Edwards said that the focus for the Sharks is to take some momentum into their overseas tour.

"If we look at our next three games, we play the Stormers who have to win, the Cheetahs who are on a really good roll at the moment and then the Chiefs in New Zealand and we have to pick up as many points as we can and we have to win at home [against the Cheetahs], that's a no-brainer," he said.